Oral ulcers (canker sores)

Service Description

➤ Self-assessment checklist: º Small, shallow, painful, recurrent lesions on lining inside the mouth, cheek or on the tongue º Lesions usually have red border with white or yellow centre ➤ What is a canker sore? A canker sore is a shallow sore shaped like a crater (ulcer) on your tongue or on the inside of your lip or cheek. Canker sores have a red border and a white or yellow centre. They may be painful and can make it hard to talk and eat. You may have one or more than one canker sore at a time. Unlike cold sores, you cannot spread canker sores to other people. Anyone can get a canker sore, but women, teens, and young adults have them more often. Most people have canker sores at some time in their lives, and some people have them regularly. ➤ What causes it? The cause of canker sores is unknown, but they tend to run in families. Canker sores are not contagious. Canker sores may also develop when you: º Are stressed or tired. º Have your menstrual cycle, if you are a woman. º Hurt your mouth, such as biting your lip. º Have braces on your teeth. º Have food allergies. Eating foods that you are allergic to may cause you to get a canker sore. º Eat or drink food or juice that has a lot of acid, such as orange juice. º Do not get enough vitamins or minerals in your diet, such as iron, vitamin B12, and folic acid. ➤ What are the symptoms? The main symptom of a canker sore is getting a shallow ulcer on your tongue or on the inside of your lip or cheek. The sore may be large or small, and it will have a red border and a white or yellow centre. You might have more than one canker sore at a time. Canker sores usually begin with a burning or tingling feeling. They may be swollen and painful. Having a canker sore can make it hard to talk or eat. Canker sores may hurt for 7 to 10 days. Minor canker sores heal completely in 1 to 3 weeks, but major canker sores can take up to 6 weeks to heal. Some people get another canker sore after the first sore has healed. Most canker sores heal without a scar.

Contact Details

• 300 Columbia Street #112, Kamloops, BC, Canada